Hearing Loss & Denial
Denial is the number one enemy of people with hearing loss. It is
the greatest barrier to work through before seeking help. Most
hearing-impaired people in denial think they don’t need hearing
aids or can get by without them.
It’s sad that millions of people let denial get in the
way of treatment that could drastically improve the
quality of their lives.
Denying Hearing Loss
The average person with hearing loss typically waits five to ten
years before getting help. They do not realize that “auditory
deprivation” can cause their ability to process speech to drop over
time. Hearing instruments actually act like exercise machines that
stimulate what is left of your hearing.
They stimulate the hair-like nerve endings deep inside the inner
ear plus the auditory part of the brain thereby, maintaining your
ability to process sounds and interpret speech. The sooner you
seek help, the more likely you preserve your ability to understand
speech. So, why is there so much denial associated with gradual
hearing loss?
How People Cope With Gradual Hearing Loss
At first, a person develops coping strategies that are unconscious.
They “watch” people in order to “hear.” The eyes and brain piece
the missing information together, trying to make sense of
conversation.
This takes an incredible amount of effort. The person whose
“hearing is not that bad” is probably using all his available
Avalon Hearing Aid Center, Inc.
(916) 365-9081

brainpower on listening. Believe it or not, this seemingly “minor”
loss is the most insidious of all hearing losses. As your hearing
continues to deteriorate, so does your lifestyle and psychological
well-being.
The Confusing Thing About Hearing Loss
The slow and gradual progression of hearing loss makes it easy
for people to stay in denial. Most people lose their high
frequencies first, missing speech sounds such as s, f, t, k, and th.
They hear but do not understand. People still have outdated
beliefs that hearing aids only help people with severe losses.
This is no longer true. Today, hearing instruments can bring back
clarity for even mild losses. In fact, one of the greatest
advancements in technology has been the introduction of Open
Mold hearing devices for people with mild-to-moderate losses.
People love this technology because they barely feel them. The
devices are so small and discreet that all you notice is that
conversations sound so much clearer.
Recruitment Reinforces Denial
Most hearing losses are sensori-neural in which some of the
delicate hair-like nerve endings of the inner ear are damaged and
destroyed. With this type of loss often comes “recruitment”. It is
as though the inner ear gets “bruised” and cannot tolerate loud
sounds.
And that’s confusing. People think “how could there be anything
wrong with my hearing if I can’t stand loud sounds?” Because of
this sensitivity to loudness, people may remain in denial longer.

Avalon Hearing Aid Center, Inc.
(916) 365-9081

Years of Coping and Denying
At first, a person denies to himself that he is not hearing and
understanding enough to feel comfortable and confident.
Eventually one dares to face the fact that his hearing is changing
but still tries to hide it from others. The incidents of
embarrassment grow as do the excuses one uses for asking
people to repeat.
Eventually that person realizes that others know he has a hearing
loss. By this time, one’s self esteem has seriously eroded.
Moving Past Denial
If you know someone in denial about their hearing loss, ask them
to read this article.
If you are that person in denial who says “my hearing is really not
that bad” or “I can get by without hearing aids,” it is time to work
through your denial. Everyone with gradual hearing loss has to
go through denial. So take this information to heart.
The long-term effects of untreated hearing loss should not be
ignored. Take action and get the help you deserve. Like millions
of people before you, you’ll be glad you finally sought help. There
is hope and help available to make life easier for you and your
loved ones.

For More Information about Hearing Loss,
Call Us (916) 365-9081
or visit http://hearing-aids-fair-oaks-ca.com/